EDC Flashlights: What do you carry?

I carry that exact same model, AuthorityDenied. Love it. My only complaint is the infamous "pre-flash" glitch mine has that makes it blink on full for a split-second if it's sat unused for a while.

I keep my Surefire 6P Led handy almost all the time. Recently my LED seems to have gone downhill and has a yellow spot so currently its off to Surefire to fix it. Lifetime warranty is great, but $2.50 a battery isn't.

Some lights with multiple features are a bummer to operate. So far the best I have found is the Fenix line. My TK12 is a deal where you twist the bezel and change modes, and the TK15 has a specific button. One thing I love about the TK12 is in one mode, it is either full bright or a slight twist right and it is on strobe. And it's strobe is AWESOME

Gathert: you can find the CR123 batteries cheaper than that at battery junction and bright flashlights.

http://www.batteryjunction.com/pri-cr123a.html

http://brightflashlights.com/# Bright flashlights has more info at AR15.com

Quark tactical (CR123a x 1) with strobe and turbo for the 2 selectable modes.

Fenix E-01
Don't know you're carrying it until you need it.
25 hours from 1 AAA battery.
The best one is the one you have all the time. My wife and I have one each and walked our dogs all last winter with them, and that gets really dark at times in Scotland. No serious reach but they light up where you need to see.

Sound, many talked fluff when I extolled the virtues of my tiny wimpy Streamlight Micro when I got it. They said things like 25 measly lumens and such. Then many bought one when they actually saw it and saw how tiny a AAA battery torch is and how bright 25 lumens can be. It is very useful. I can also say many who have to actually USE their torch for seeing something close at night, turn it all the way down to around 25~50 lumens anyway. My Fenix is way too bright on turbo for anything but looking at something far off at night.

My key ring is in my pocket 100% of the time that I'm away from the house, and on it I have a Fenix E05. 1 AAA battery, 27 lumens of pleasing neutral tint, and a very even floody beam. It's even smaller than the tiny Fenix E01s and Streamlight Microstreams that many people here carry.

But if I'm walking out of the house and I know I won't be back until it's dark outside, I will choose from about...gulp...9 Surefires, or...sigh...10 or 15 other high-end, high-tech pocket flashlights to take with me.

Yes, I am a "flashaholic".

I usually prefer a single-cell light, with a forward clicky switch, and high mode first. Probably my 2 most commonly carried are a Surefire E1b, or a Jetbeam BC10.

Asking a flashaholic to pick 1 of his flashlights to carry around all day every day, is like asking a shooting enthusiast/collector to take only 1 of his guns to the range every time.

For those that haven't seen it, you might want to download the free edition of American Cop Magazine that covers flashlights (numerous flashlight articles throughout, but start with page 70!)-it's the May/June 2011 edition.

Right now, my old Surefire 6PX PRO, i have no idea why since i seem to remember reading that they can't use rechargeables, and of which i don't have any.
Pointless backup burning ftw
I like the fuzzy finish on it but the lack of a rear handle flair is annoying, i have almost dropped it a couple of times

I carry a Streamlight Microstream like a couple others in this thread. It's an amazingly compact light, and bright enough for most of what I need it for. Used to carry a Surefire E2D Defender but it runs through batteries like crazy plus stopped working. Changing the bulb and batteries hasn't fixed anything. Should probably send it in to Surefire, but I've been too lazy. So much for a $115 flashlight...

Used to carry a Surefire E2D Defender but it runs through batteries like crazy plus stopped working. Changing the bulb and batteries hasn't fixed anything. Should probably send it in to Surefire, but I've been too lazy. So much for a $115 flashlight...

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Wow. This is the first report I've ever heard of an E series Surefire not working. If it's the incandescent E2D (which it sounds like), a fresh bulb and fresh batteries should always fix the problem. If not, it's a tail switch issue. There are ways to check if voltage is getting through the entire light, if you have a voltage meter.

I would absolutely send it to Surefire. My experience with their customer service has been mostly positive. They will make it right. My favorite flashlight of all time is the Surefire E2D LED Defender. Just about perfect.

Wow. This is the first report I've ever heard of an E series Surefire not working. If it's the incandescent E2D (which it sounds like), a fresh bulb and fresh batteries should always fix the problem. If not, it's a tail switch issue. There are ways to check if voltage is getting through the entire light, if you have a voltage meter.

I would absolutely send it to Surefire. My experience with their customer service has been mostly positive. They will make it right. My favorite flashlight of all time is the Surefire E2D LED Defender. Just about perfect.

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it's not the first time i've heard of a Surefire not working right, but to be clear, it's only the second time. a few years ago, a buddy of mine bought the E2 Defender. his daughter knocked it off the desk it had been sitting on, and the lens shattered. needless to say, he was not pleased. he returned it, and they replaced it. no problems since then.

Like Citizen, I have had many problems with Surefires. I have six of them, from a single 123 powered incandescent, a couple G2Z's which I loved till both stopped working, and a few others. Only one of the six works. The G2Z's both burnt modules prematurely, one after three days when I dropped it, the other after ten or so hours use and then the switch on both went bad after replacing both modules to the tune of 40 dollars each! I'll never buy another Sure FIre product and I was a die hard fan till all the problems happened. I am going to send both the G2Z's back and see how good their customer service is.


I don't think they even make a module for the old single cell one anymore. If so I won't buy it because it is so dim compared to my Streamlight Micro that cost me 14 dollars and is much easier to carry and uses a aaa.

it's not the first time i've heard of a Surefire not working right, but to be clear, it's only the second time. a few years ago, a buddy of mine bought the E2 Defender. his daughter knocked it off the desk it had been sitting on, and the lens shattered. needless to say, he was not pleased. he returned it, and they replaced it. no problems since then.

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Is that your example of a Surefire not working, or do you have another you are referring to? A shattered lens due to a drop off a desk isn't what I'd call "not working".

Like Citizen, I have had many problems with Surefires. I have six of them, from a single 123 powered incandescent, a couple G2Z's which I loved till both stopped working, and a few others. Only one of the six works. The G2Z's both burnt modules prematurely, one after three days when I dropped it, the other after ten or so hours use and then the switch on both went bad after replacing both modules to the tune of 40 dollars each! I'll never buy another Sure FIre product and I was a die hard fan till all the problems happened. I am going to send both the G2Z's back and see how good their customer service is.

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I am very sorry to hear of all your problems. I own 9 Surefires, and only 1 has ever acted in a way that it shouldn't have, and that was their newer G2X Pro model (and it was a small issue that the average consumer wouldn't have even noticed). I received a properly-working replacement from Surefire.

My suggestion about Surefire repairs - if you don't get anywhere with their repair department, a little whining to their customer service department seems to be a more direct way of getting things done quickly and correctly.

I guess Surefire is one of those brands that gets either praised or knocked, due to their high price, their military/law enforcement connections, and their reputation for durability. I've had issues with almost all of the many different brands of flashlights I own, but if I had to trust just 1 of them - it would be a Surefire.

Another thing I like about (older) Surefire models is your ability to play "lego" with them. They are endlessly upgradeable and customizable. You can easily find a $50 Surefire 6P body (with no LED or lamp assembly), and spend $200-300 on parts, pieces, cerakoting, drop-ins, etc. They are the AR-15 of the flashlight world.

But like with guns and knives - the best flashlight in the world is the one you have with you. If that's a $15 Streamlight Microstream - it's the best flashlight in the entire world when the lights go out!

4sevens Quark 123^2 Tactical Neutral white.

Surefire 6px, love it

Just a lame Mini Maglite in the holster that came with it. I'll eventually get a better light.

In my pocket I rotate between:
Surefire L1
Surefire E1B with E2DL tail
Surefire E1L with E2DL tail
HDS Rotary 200T

Arc-aaa on my keys.

Surefire LX2 in my bag.

I love lights

While not a tactical light, I've been carrying a Rayovac LED for quite some time now...http://www.homedepot.com/buy/rayovac-industrial-grade-2-aa-100-lumen-flashlight-249691.html.

It has become my "go-to" flashlight. It doesn't fit neatly into a pocket and disappear, doesn't have a pocket clip to carry it by, doesn't have 12 different modes of operation, but it is extrememly rugged, well built, fully functional, and uses common and inexpensive AA batteries.

Mine has been used heavily since I've had it just to see if this $14 light will last, and it has done well. So far it has passed the (unintentional) drop test and dunk test. Not in the same ballpark as a SureFire or Fenix, but it's a light that fits my budget and has proved itself well.

JLaw

ive got 3 that i usually switch around...

AA minimag w/ 140lumen terralux upgrade (carry this most often)

streamlite PT2L

LED LENSER V2


then depending on how im feeling, its not uncommon for me to toss a 2C maglite on my belt.

My light is a Surefire G2, with the LED conversion. I've had it for years. Never a problem, with incandescent or LED. Did go through batteries and bulbs with the incandescent, but then my wife was always borrowing it, so ... I bought her one. They'd just come out with the LED version, so I got her one, and it was so much brighter than mine that I HAD to order the LED conversion for it.

I bought a dozen batteries with the LED conversion. We are just now finishing up that box. I figure if I buy two more boxes, CR123 will probably be an obsolete battery type by the time I need more.

Wife carries hers in her purse, and it sits on her nightstand at night. I carry mine next to my wallet in my front pocket, or in my work bag (day pack/manpurse).

I've got a few other lights, but these are so much brighter and better than other stuff, and they just work, so ... I don't get anything else except headlamps. I think I'll buy one for my daughter, she just turned 15. And I need something to put on my AR, I guess...

Maybe I will buy some more lights!

sixgunner455,

If you really want BRIGHT from your G2, do some googling for p60 drop-ins. The G2 (along with all the other Surefire P/C/G/Z models with removable head) is a great host for the hundreds of different aftermarket LED drop-in modules out there. If you got the Surefire P60L drop-in LED, it is rated at 80 lumens and costs around $50. If you got the KX4 conversion head, you get 120 lumens for $85.

These days, you can spend $15-30 for a pretty decent 500-lumen LED drop-in from manufacturers like Solarforce, Thrunite, and Lumens Factory, or you can spring for a $45-80 Malkoff or Nailbender drop-in that is fully potted (for recoil protection on a weapon), can run off of rechargeable or primary batteries with a very wide voltage range, and have fully regulated outputs and long runtimes. Any of these will completely blow away the brightness of either the Surefire P60L or KX4, for half the price. Heat can be an issue with the plastic Surefires, so go at your own risk.

Like I said, the customizing options available with one of these older model Surefires is ridiculous.